1
as in to stir
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly this room could use a ceiling fan to agitate the stuffy air a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to discuss
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word agitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When is it sensible to use convulse instead of agitate?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Where would rock be a reasonable alternative to agitate?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When can shake be used instead of agitate?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of agitate The nearness of bees, and of other things that agitate most people, calms me. Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025 Meanwhile, those on the right are agitating to declare left wing activists as terrorists. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025 Skilled content creators know that their content has to do more than agitate problems and provide solutions. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 The play was indicative of what Burton does best – agitate, disrupt and make opposing stars uncomfortable. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
  • Add bacon and cook until crisp, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Rose Glass' directorial debut is an ecclesiastical horror that offsets the fine line between devotion and delusion, all while stirring the painful emotions of loneliness and trauma.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Staffieri was appropriately shocked and disturbed by both the antisemitic display and the breach of internal protocol.
    Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The plot was inspired by a Japanese news report that had deeply disturbed Woo, about a lunatic guilty of poisoning baby formula.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Whether the Canes can get to 10-2 will likely depend on if Beck can shake off his four-interception nightmare.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The new coach shook hands, smiled for cell phone pictures and signed posters for wave after wave of kids.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Since Olympic charter flights to Milan will be departing from the New York area, and because the Islanders had been promised an event in February 2026, the possibility of doing a big press availability was discussed as an alternative.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Elsewhere in the podcast, Shallow discusses her penchant for using femininity and flirtation as reality TV weapons, and how that nickname cast a shadow on her real-life relationships.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Such hard coaching would bother some players.
    Jay King, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … HIT THE ROAD – Duffy responds to trucker who 'couldn't be bothered' to learn English in America.
    , FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In a story that is sometimes outweighed by its tragic end, Selena y Los Dinos manages to radiate joy by showing Selena as a human being, vibrating with energy, determination, and an infectious sense of humor.
    Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
  • These waves, called microwaves, cause particles in food to vibrate and absorb power.
    Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Though their claims were the basis of the Amityville Horror franchise, the validity of the Lutzs' story has been heavily debated over the years.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The commissioners debated this issue as well.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Many young people may be too distracted by the likes of MrBeast, who dropped out of college and turned a passion for video creation into a billion-dollar global empire.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Facilities like Sankofa and Nova House help those recovering from addiction fill their time with activities that distract them from the urge to use.
    Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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